Music Lessons in West Long Branch, NJ

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have found that a simultaneous combination of book-guided learning and practical application is often most enjoyable for a student (and teacher). Learning the fundamentals is certainly important. Using this knowledge to learn pieces of songs and understand how the songs are constructed keeps things fresh for the student and reinforces the lessons better than book learning alone. I typically start beginners with the Mel Bay series of guitar instruction books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Ukulele

I approach teaching on an individual basis, meaning it's important to me to know the goals, hopes, passions, and if applicable, the worries or insecurities the student is feeling. In a first lesson I identify something that is special and unique about each student, and build their technique from this place. I find this helps the difficult areas feel a little less challenging because they already have something they feel proud of when working through the discomfort of something new or intimidating. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have over 10 years experience teaching drums and music production, which I began after moving to New York around 2010. I like to teach my students based on their needs, depending on age and speed of learning. I am very big in teaching deep fundamentals, such as snare drum rudiments and different drum grooves. The lessons need to be fun! I try to balance out 'fun' practicing and focus, goal-driven exercises, which includes learning the drum parts to music the student likes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Keyboard

I've been teaching piano and composition for 15 years. I've taught countless private lessons to people from all ages from as early as 5 years old to 70! I particularly love to help people create their own music and connect to their own musical voice. I help students get through all of the basics; scales, reading, harmony and music theory. I am very good at helping students be creative and to find something inside themselves that allows them to express their voice. Read More

Instruments: Electric Guitar

I have been playing and studying guitar for 23 years and teaching for 5 years. The online courses I am currently taking are the first formal lessons of my life. I think this has given me a really patient teaching style that involves no stress. I have used various tools such as books and videos. Hundreds of which I still use today. I continue to learn as a musician every time I play.  Read More

Instruments: Voice

I want to get a sense of why my student is interested in singing. Do they want to sing in a choir? Be the next pop star? Once I have an idea of what their goals are we start working with their voice and figuring out what styles work best for them. We always start off with warm-ups. They're a very important part of the singing process. They can also help students when they are on their own. Read More

Instruments: Cello

I believe that each person has a unique set of skills and characteristics through which he or she acquires knowledge, maintains and improves the acquired knowledge, and uses it to his or her benefit. Therefore, although I do have a system that I follow, I attend to the specific strong and weak points of each student. My goal is to be present in each and every lesson and to focus on each student's current level with the understanding that only through direct and personal guidance could my students improve and thrive. Read More